Lamayuru Zanskar Trek

Morning after a short scenic of an hour flight to Leh from Delhi, on arrival at Leh, Ladakh Kushok Bakula Rimpoche. As you head outside the air terminal, our staff and guide receives you for short drive in the heart of Leh town to your Hotels. Afternoon free at leisure, optional walk to the center of Leh and its market.

At Leh, for acclimatization and for exciting tour at places of interest, Leh has a vast range of main bazaar on the street colorful local fruits and vegetables vendors. The streets are busy with roadside restaurant, cafes and craft shops. The old Leh Palace stands on the top of the high hill overlooking the Leh city and its valley. The white Peace (Shanti) Stupa stands nearby high on hill which is worth a visit for the great views of Leh. The world’s highest Polo ground located beyond the main bus station, rest of the day free at leisure to browse around Leh, Ladakh capital.

Morning after breakfast, a full day tour taking a drive to Hemis, one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh with more than 150 monks; an annual Hemis festival is held. The monastery, stands in a gorge surrounded by mountain scenery, built in 18th Century. On the way back to Leh visit Thiksey Gompa built in 16th Century, situated on a hill top. The monastery enriched with Tibetan-style books, a huge Buddha statue and excellent works of arts.
Last stop on the way back to Leh, tour of ruined Shey Palace once a summer palace of the pre-Tibetan kings. Shey and its fort also known as Lachen Palkar Palace, an old fort with a monastery. Shey the earlier capital of Ladakh till 19th Centuary the massive nine-story stone structure lies at the base of the Tsemo ridge and towers over the old town. Built by King Senge Namgyal during 15th till 17th Centuary in a Tibetan style.
The palace monastery houses a large, bronze, blue haired Buddha statue and then drive to Leh hotel for overnight.

From today onwards our real adventure begins heading south east on leaving Leh on the main highway of 110 k.m driving distance to Lamayuru.
On the route to Lamayuru tour of Liker Monastery, a 12 storied 800 years old, a replica of Potala Palace which is in Tibet-Lhasa. Situated on top of a red hill,
the monastery was first built in the 11th century and was rebuilt in the 18th century, and currently has a 25-foot-tall (7.6 m) gold-covered Buddha statue.
After an interesting tour of. Visiting famed monasteries, drive continues along the Indus River, then crossing Indus River as journey leads to Alchi for another interesting visit of Alchi monastery, the Chorten around Alchi Gompa contains numerous wall murals of Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo, who has built this monastery. Alchi monastery has vast collections of wall paintings, and wood sculpture, from
here drive to Lamayuru reaching by late afternoon, at Lamayuru for overnight camp, where our staff have pitched the camp. After getting organized in tented camping with time to visit the Lamayuru Gompa, or next early morning.
Lamayuru the oldest monastery in Ladakh, founded by Indian scholar Mahasiddhacharya Naropa in 11th century. Lamayuru host mask dance festival (Yuru Kabgyat) during 17th and 18th day of fifth months of the Tibetan Lunar calendar. It belongs to red hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism; monastery is rich with Thankas and wall paintings.
Lamayuru monastery was constructed by Arahat Nimagung in between 10th and 11th century. In the 11th century the Mahasidha Naropa visited Lamayuru and the cave where he resided and meditated is still to be seen inside the monastery.

From Lamayuru, first day walk starts with a short descent, crisscrossing a streams several times, then climb leads gradually across to a small valley, as walk continues around the valley to the base of Prinkiti-La pass. From the bottom climb takes about an hour or less to Prinkiti-La at 3,7350 m. From the pass enjoy grand vista of snow peaks and the valley below, then long downhill to enter a gorge towards a small cattle herder settlements at Shilla. After crossing a bridge walk continues to the right bank to Wanla for overnight camp. Wanla a lovely village by the bank of Yapola River with a large grassy camping field.

On leaving nice village of Wanla, walk follows a nice trail heading towards a gorge with climb to Phenjala, as adventure continues with short down and ups within great canyon walls and towering eroded cliff of red and brown mud color.
As walk leads on windswept terrain with climb for few hours to Hanupatta a small windblown settlement of cattle herder. Where our overnight camp is set after a good day walks of near six hours.

Today’s a long walk to reach a Shilla Kong a small village, after a hearty breakfast, morning trek follows a well-defined path on the left bank of a river. Enjoy the beautiful landscape. After few hours of walk and steep climb reach on top of Nyigutse-La pass at 5,097 m high. From the top facing stunning vista of dramatic wild landscape with views of high Himalayan range. From the pass descend towards a beautiful hidden valley on an immense plain encountering herds sheep’s, goats and yaks. Overnight camp is set close to the cattle herder temporary shelter on a nice grassy meadow, a small village of about 15 houses of mud and stones.

Another longer day to experience, after breakfast with time to explore the village and observe rural village farm life. From Shilla Kong trek along the right side following the river upstream. After the easy walk for few hours and then a steep climb for few hours to the top of Yokma-La at 4,709 m high. From the top enjoy spectacular view of surrounding beautiful landscapes. After the pass and climb, and then gentle descent to the campsite at a small place called Kanji for overnight camp, close to its small farm village.

From Kanji follow a narrow dirt path on gentle quite level trail for some hours, and then downhill, a gradual ascent for short hour to reach River Kong Nullah.
Where our camp is set on a wide grassy meadow. Here with time for side walk and enjoy the afternoon at leisure for long walk next day.

After a pleasant morning and overnight camp by the River Kong, walk leads to gradual climb, and then with steep up to reach one of the highest pass of the adventure on top Kanji-La at 5,246 m high. The pass offers superb views of beautiful terrain of Zanskar valley with surrounding high snow-capped peaks.
From the pass head downhill to a place known as Junction for overnight camp, after a long exciting day.

From the camp at Junction, an interesting day of average hour to Rangdum, a nice village located within Suru valley on route to Kargil and Padum our next stop. Morning walk follows on winding gradual wide path overlooking beautiful scenery of high hills and snow-capped peaks. After a good pleasant walk reaching at Rangdum a small farm village for overnight camp. Enjoy the view of colorful hills while on the other side with rocky mountains and glaciers.
At Rangdum after setting the camp, enjoy the afternoon with tour of the monastery, perched on a high hill.
Rangdum Monastery looks like a fort than a monastery, due to its position atop a mountain on an outcrop. A picturesque location treasure rich collection of various artefacts, which makes one of the must visit tourist attraction in Ladakh.
One of the main attractions inside Rangdum Monastery is the central prayer hall, which has an amazing collection of Tibetan & other artefacts. Almost 40 monks reside inside the monastery.

At Rangdum an interval from trekking for a day, to make the itinerary shorter to reach our last destination to Manali. From Rangdum entering into a wide Zanskar valley, where motorable road follows on a dirt trail facing sweeping panorama of wonderful country landscapes, then reaching at Padum a major and a small town of Zanskar. At Padum overnight in a lodge or guesthouse with time to browse around this interesting town, as well drive to Karsha Monastery.
The largest monastery in Zanskar area, first founded by Great Lama Phagspa Shesrap (the translator of Zanskar). From the monastery, enjoy spectacular view of Padum and of Zanskar valley and its surrounding mountains.

Today leaving early for Cha for trek to Purne following a dusty track up to Cha village. As walk continues on a well define old trail facing with amazing view of landscape. Trek along the left side of river entering impressive gorges with climb Surle village at the confluence of Tsarap and Kargiak River. Crossing the river by bridge and climb short to Purne village, a beautiful village with few houses.
After an interesting day with drive walk with overnight camp around its lovely field overlooking grand surrounding scenery.

At Purne visit a temple built inside huge cave within the monastery built on rock cliff. The monastery was founded by Changsems Sherab Zangpo.
From Purne walk takes you to Phuktail Monastery a great day to see one of most stunning sight of Zanskar. Walk follows to Phuktal along the left bank of Tsarap River for an hour. Cross the river by bridge as walk follows along the right bank of river with first grand view of Phuktal after climbing a short high ridge.
At Phuktal visit the amazing monastery perched on a mountain side within gorge on the Tsarap Chu, a major tributary of Zanskar River.
The Phugtal Monastery a beautiful architecture old and rustic and grand and beautiful and captivating.

From Purne walk to Tangze a gentle climb to Yal village as our route continues along the right side of a valley, walk follows to Karu small settlement and then cross a river before Tangze village for overnight camp in wide grassy meadow by the river.

Walk today is quite a long day, as walk leads towards near at the end of Zanskar valley, following a stream and crisscrossing then following the main trail all the way to Zingchen for overnight camp.

A great day walk leaving early to avoid the snow as softens on route Phirtse-La the highest point of this adventure. After an hour of gradual walking along the small stream, and then a steep climb all the way to Phirtse-La pass. Enjoy the great views of snow-clad peaks as far to Rupshu. From the pass descend gradually along the slopes with patches of snow to Chumik Marpo camp. A nice camp site at Chumik Marpo, witness Yaks grazing on a grassy wide meadow.

An easy day walk crossing a river of Khamberab, as route lead past the valley floor and then climb towards a high ridge on leaving Chumik Marpo. Where walk leads to complete mountain wilderness with steep climb up on high top and then down following a river to Khamberab, a small settlement in between mountains, overnight camp is placed near a river side.

Another day of exciting walk coming across many summer temporary camps of yak herder, as walk leads to short down and ups and then walk finally ends on reaching an isolated settlement at Rabo Chorten for overnight camp.

Our last day walk takes you to end of our trekking adventure to Keylong Sarai, which is often known for its avalanche, of few years ago. Walk is short for almost four hours reaching at the end of Zanskar range, close to another states of Himalchal Pradesh to Manali. On reaching at Keylong Sarai overnight in local lodges or in tented camp, after completing our adventurous walks.

Morning after a nice breakfast, board in a jeep or four-wheelers or similar types vehicles, an exciting drive of six hours to reach lovely Manali hill town at distance of 183 km from Keylong Sarai. As drive leads you through short cut entering Atal Tunnel named after former and late PM of India Atal Bhihari Vajpayee.
After an exciting drive reaching at lovely hill town of Manali, a popular holiday destination for internal and international visitors. Check into a nice hotel at Manali with time to browse around the town street.

A free day in Manali, a perfect and interesting town to observe local hill people culture and activities. Morning our guide takes you around the market square in the hub of Manali, as well visiting its famous Hindu temple of Hadimba Mahadev.
Tour takes you refreshing hot-spring of Vashist, rest of the day at leisure for short walks on the streets of Manali, a famous holiday town for Indians as well for foreign tourist.

Last day in the hill station town of Manali, after an exciting adventure of a life time experience and adventure on Lamayuru Zasnkar & Phitsela to Manali Trekking, crossing the highest passes of Himalayas. As per flight time for Delhi an hour or more drive to Bhuntar domestic airport for flight to Delhi, to connect your international flight homeward bound.